The first summit of the modern era, under the Organization of American States, was held in 1956, but they only began to be held under their current format in 1994. Since then summits have been held from Miami to Bolivia; from Quebec to Trinidad and Tobago.

To overcome the vulnerabilities facing the 200 million poor in the American continent , we must ensure economic growth with equity, said today in the Panamanian capital Caterina Valero, Program Director of the Pan American Foundation for Development .

Promoting Prosperitywith Equity

More than a decade ago at the Special Summit of the Americas, leaders gathered to discuss the hemisphere’s rapid economic growth alongside rising poverty levels. In the Declaration of Nuevo León, they renewed a commitment to strengthening democratic governance, protecting human rights and fostering social development and inclusion. It was clear that the Americas needed more than economic growth in order to flourish. We needed to incorporate the principles of inclusion and equity as the true measures of prosperity.

We continue to work toward that important goal. In 2014, the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), an affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS) for more than five decades, implemented the largest program in its history. PADF mobilized more than $92 million in development and disaster assistance. These efforts assisted 15 million vulnerable people in Latin America and the Caribbean.

PADF’s innovative programs helped the Colombian government implement its Victims Law and promote inclusion for Afro-descendants and indigenous peoples. They also provided greater opportunities to victims of the country’s long civil conflict and developed centers for at-risk youth.

In Haiti, PADF worked with more than 1,000 communities to nurture grassroots participation and allow Haitians to determine their own development priorities, in accordance with the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The Foundation also supported small business development and implemented urban reconstruction programs after the 2010 earthquake.

crucial improvements to infrastructure in some of the poorest communities in the hemisphere. PADF partnered with communities to help them better prepare for disasters and address the effects of climate change.

To achieve these objectives, PADF forged partnerships with national and local governments, bilateral donors, corporations, multilateral organizations and other key allies who are committed to sustainable and equitable development.

Major challenges remain, however. While some in Latin America and the Caribbean are now more prosperous than a decade ago, millions of others remain excluded from the mainstream. Poverty, unemployment, gender discrimination and lack of access to education disproportionately affect many. Indigenous people, Afro- descendants, youth, girls and women, and displaced persons are particularly vulnerable.

On this issue, the statistics continue to be staggering. Today, the poorest 40 percent of the Latin American population receives just 15 percent of the total income. Roughly 21 percent of the population—130 million Latin Americans— have been living in poverty since 2004, according to the World Bank.

Our mission is to change this. PADF will continue to create new opportunities for social inclusion and economic progress for those most in need. This will improve the income and quality of life for those who have not yet reaped the benefits of the region’s prosperity.

In response to the call for “Prosperity with Equity,” the theme of the seventh Summit of the Americas, PADF will continue to work toward this shared future. Our goal is to reach out to those who have been traditionally marginalized. Together, we will continue to build a more prosperous, equitable and inclusive hemisphere for all.

At the forum, our staff will gather with more than 700 civil society participants from around the hemisphere.

The Forum will break into eight working groups to focus on the following “Mandates for Action.” The event will culminate on April 10 when the working groups present their agenda in a dialogue with foreign ministers from the region.